How 6 Top Stylists Made It in Hair
1/7While, yes, Hollywood A-listers are probably already genetically blessed with a superhuman head of hair, they do also depend on their stylists to pull off what you see on screen, in glossy magazine photos, and on the red carpet. And, like their clients, these hair stylists worked hard to get to the top of their game; most started as humble assistants and even in different areas of the entertainment and fashion industry. But let’s allow the biggest names in the hair styling business — from Emma Stone’s stylist Mara Roszak to Ted Gibson, who charges a cool $1,500 for a cut — tell you their stories and share some wise words of advice. Based on their experiences, a big takeaway might be that legendary photographer Patrick Demarchelier is the kingmaker for celebrity hairstylists. So newbies: If you get an opportunity to work on one of his shoots, TAKE IT.
blonde photo, llc2/7Ted Gibson
You might know Ted Gibson from his game-changing cuts and styling on What Not to Wear. Or his work styling clients Lupita Nyong’o, Emma Watson, and Ashley Greene. Or the Aveda Institute grad's ultra-posh New York City salon, where a cut by him costs as much as a month’s rent. But never forget that the native Texan busted his butt working his way to the top over the past two decades.
How I got my big break:
My big break was the day I flew to London to do two covers [Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire], shot by the legendary photographer Patrick Demarchelier, in one day with Angelina Jolie. I didn’t know then how much that one day would change the trajectory of my career. At the time, I had built a really great reputation for myself within the fashion world. I was doing editorial work for all the big international publications as well as fashion shows in Milan and Paris — both ready-to-wear and couture. As that was happening, [Marie Claire] fashion director Lucy Sykes asked me if I was interested in doing a cover with a celebrity. It was the early 2000s at the time, and it was not common for celebrities to grace the cover of fashion magazines. As a fashion hairdresser in New York City, I didn’t really like the idea of doing celebrities. I’m so glad that I did. The one moment when I knew I made it:
I knew I made it when I opened my first salon on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Having my salon gives me the opportunity to cut women’s hair at $1,500 and inspire and train the next generation of hairdressers. Being a hairdresser is the most rewarding thing I could have ever done in my life. It has taught me that 'beauty is individual' and has really proven that 'hair changes everything'! My advice to aspiring stylists:
Train, train, train! Think of yourself as a world class athlete because, if you follow any of them, you’ll see that’s the common thread. The key to their success is constant training and practice.
3/7Mark Townsend
The Olsen twins have celebrity stylist Mark Townsend to thank for their signature beachy waves. The world-renowned stylist also jet-sets around the globe constantly to style the impeccable coifs of A-listers such as Jennifer Lawrence, Dakota Johnson, Diane Kruger, and Elizabeth Olsen, to name just a few. As if he’s not busy enough, Townsend also holds the title Dove Celebrity Stylist, working with Dove Hair on the #HairConfidence campaign. How I got my big break:
I went to cosmetology school and really found my passion. When I got my license in 1996, I moved to New York with nothing more than a blow dryer and some big dreams and stalked the hairdressers who had inspired me. I started at the Oribe salon which was heaven. You could literally feel the creativity in the air in that salon, and I got to watch and learn from amazing hairstylists and colorists. Through those stylists, I met [famous hair stylist] Danilo and became his assistant for almost two years. From there, I went on to assist Sally Hershberger, the queen of cool, rock and roll hair, and I became her New York assistant. Sally expected a lot from her assistants and was an extremely generous teacher. I am the stylist I am today because of her. It was her referral that landed me on the set of the film Vanilla Sky, where I worked with Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz, and Cameron Diaz, and that film brought me to Los Angeles, which is where it all started to take off for me on my own — not just as an assistant. The one moment when I knew I made it:
If doing what you love with people you respect is making it, then every day I pick up a brush, I feel like I’ve made it! My advice to aspiring stylists:
Clients are temporary — every actor and every musician had a hairdresser before you and will most likely have another hairdresser after you, so make each day special, and enjoy the moment!
4/7Harry Josh
Harry Josh actually started in the beauty business as a casting director for Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton — not too shabby for a first gig. Once the Canadian native found himself in the hair styling industry (as he’ll explain), he amassed an impressive clientele of the most super of supermodels and actresses including Amanda Seyfried, Miley Cyrus, and Gwyneth Paltrow. And, yes, the John Frieda international creative consultant has styled editorials shot by, you guessed it, Patrick Demarchelier. In 2013, Harry launched his own line of hair tools, which have quickly become sought-after favorites of stylists and beauty editors alike. How I got my big break:
[Teen Vogue] editor-in-chief: Amy Astley! She was beauty director at Vogue then, and she had heard through the grapevine that I was coloring some of the big models of the time — Gisele Bundchen, Kirsty Hume, Shalom Harlow, and a few other girls. I was coloring them in the bathroom of my walk-up apartment in Soho, and Amy came to my apartment to interview me. I wasn’t fully in the business yet, and I had been working as a casting director. This was my dream, though. It was for a piece about up-and-coming hairdressers. I ended up with the biggest feature on the page. The one moment when I knew I made it:
When I was featured in Vogue. I never thought I’d be featured in that magazine — especially in this way. The piece jumpstarted my career, and the rest is history. I feel so grateful for all of the people I’ve met along the way. My advice to aspiring stylists:
No dream is too big, regardless of your socioeconomic background. It doesn’t matter where you come from. There’s enough work to go around for everybody. Be happy. Your positive energy will drive people to you — share that energy with everyone you touch, and bring happiness to those around you. Furthermore, be grateful when the phone rings. Nobody is REALLY your client. Things can change any day. Feel thankful and lucky every day. Lastly, don’t compromise who you are and what you believe in for any measure of success — it will ultimately come across as unauthentic.
5/7Adir Abergel
Celebrity stylist Adir Abergel actually started his career in the arts as a ballet dancer. But he quickly found his true calling to eventually style the biggest names in Hollywood, including, Jennifer Lawrence, Kristin Stewart, and Rooney Mara. You may also recognize him from his appearances on Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, and E!, talking all things celebrity hair. And, in 2012, the esteemed Wall Street Journal christened him the “Hitmaker of Hollywood Hairdos,” so there’s that. How I got my big break:
When, at the age of 16, I met Arthur Johns, one of the biggest names in hairstyling in the ‘60s and ‘70s. I assisted him for almost five years, working on clients including Olivia Newton John, Tina Turner, Julie Christie, and Chaka Kahn. I learned so much assisting him and, by the age of 20, branched out on my own. The one moment when I knew I made it:
Every job you get feels like your big moment when you're a freelance artist. I have realized through the years that I still have not fully made it, because every booking still feels like my big moment. My advice to aspiring stylists:
Work hard, be honest, assist for as long as you can, stay humble, and keep discovering new inspirations.
© Jake Rosenberg 20106/7Mara Roszak
After starting her career at just 16, Mara Roszak grew her client list to include the most sought after — for their talent and their style — starlets in the biz: Emma Stone, Lily Collins, Zoe Saldana, and Carey Mulligan. Not to mention, these stars rock some of the most coveted and oft-copied hairstyles, thanks to Mara’s talents, of course. No wonder the young Los Angeles-based stylist was tapped as a L’Oreal Paris celebrity stylist.
How I got my big break:
I always wanted to be a stylist. I started practicing on myself in middle school, then transitioned into styling all of my friends’ hair for the millions of bar mitzvahs we attended. At 16 years old, I went to beauty school, and quickly realized this was it; I found what I wanted to do.After beauty school, I received a call from a family friend, who was a publicist, to do a client of hers for an event. I said yes, did the job, and was hired for an international press tour with her soon after. I made some forever friendships and work relationships on that trip, and that was my 'big break.’
The one moment when I knew I made it:
I'm not sure I have that one, single moment. But I do know I'm extremely grateful for the career I have. Success to me is loving what I do and trying to get better at the craft every day.My advice to aspiring stylists:
Say yes to most things in the beginning, and be available, professional, and reliable. Practice makes perfect in hair. Find inspiration and practice it.
7/7Gregory Russell
Gregory’s client roster reads like the guest list at a party you want to be invited to: Chloe Grace Moretz, Alexa Chung, Karlie Kloss, and Nicole Richie. He was also responsible for Miley Cyrus’s inventive ‘dos as she hosted a recent episode of Saturday Night Live and at her epic VMA gig (more on that below). When the Los Angeles-based stylist isn’t working with his big name clients, he’s a hot appointment at the famed Andy Lecompte salon, if you have a chance to swing by.
How I got my big break:
I would say my career really started when I was newly on the floor at Andy LeCompte Salon and I met Chloe Moretz. She was 12 (and hilarious) and I would blow her out for her events like the 500 days of Summer red carpet. We instantly hit it off. She and I have so much fun together! Chloe has an incredible work ethic and attitude. It's like working with family at this point. She is such a star, and I'm really grateful to be working with her.The one moment when I knew I made it:
I've had some really great experiences, but two really stand out to me. First, shooting with Patrick Demarchelier was definitely a major moment for me. I had to do six different hairstyles: three retro and three modern in the span of two hours, and it was exhilarating. I'm really proud of those images. The second was doing Miley Cyrus for the MTV VMAs. I had to build four hairpieces for the show and had to do quick changes for all of them! It was another exhilarating and gratifying experience for me.My advice to aspiring stylists:
Stay really inspired, focused, and positive. If you're willing to commit, do the work, and have a great attitude about it. Everything will work out perfectly!
